A pseudo-atoll, like an atoll, is an island that encircles a lagoon, either partially or completely. A pseudo-atoll differs from an atoll as established by several authorities, such as how it is formed (not by subsidence, nor by coral). It is considered a preferable term to "near-atoll". There is a need for rigorous definition of "pseudo-atoll" before it can be accepted as a general term.
Definitions Alexander Agassiz used the term pseudo-atoll for "any ring-shaped reefs not formed as a result of subsidence".Agassiz, A., A reconnaissance of the Bahamas and elevated reefs of Cuba. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 26:1-203. 1894. while Norman D. Newell and J. Keith RigbyJ. Keith Rigby, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences, Notre Dame University called such reefs non-coral.Newell, N.D, Rigby, J.K., 1957, Geological studies on the Great Bahama Bank, in Regional Aspects of Carbonate Deposition: SEPM Spec. Pub. 5, p. 1572. and "We conclude that almost-atoll should be retained as a descriptive term as defined by Davis and Tayama, and that the use of "near-atoll" as a synonym be abandoned. The value of terms such as "semi-atoll" and "pseudo-atoll" needs close examination and more rigorous definition before being generally accepted." H. Mergner yet states that micro-atolls classify as pseudo-atolls. Professor David R. Stoddart of Berkeley states an "almost-atoll" is an atoll with a central island of left over residue.
Usage Dr. Edward J. Petuch, author of Cenozoic seas: the view from eastern North America, refers to pseudo-atolls as pseudoatolls with the Everglades Pseudoatoll as an example.Petuch, Edward J., Cenozoic Seas: The View From Eastern North America, CRC Press; 1 edition (December 29, 2003), .
See also
Coral reef Depression (geology)
References
Further reading David R. Stottart, Department of Geography, University of California-Berkeley B. V. Preobrazhenskiĭ, B. V., Contemporary reefs; CRC Press; 1 edition, 1993, .